Report Documents American Muslim Students Bullied at School

A teenager describes her public humiliation and dramatically illustrates the findings of a report released by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA). American Muslims are being bullied in school at twice the rate of students from other religious groups. Helen Higinio reports.

Two Thousand Newly Released Inmates Face Deportation

Last summer, the United States Sentencing Commission, an independent, bipartisan agency, unanimously voted to reduce prison sentences for non-violent drug offenders. Starting today, and throughout this weekend, six thousand inmates will be released from federal custody. Of those six thousand inmates, approximately one third are foreign born citizens, and will be transferred to the United States' Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities. They will face immediate deportation.

Delta Tunnels Opponents File 30,000 Comments

Environmental activists and bay delta lawmakers gathered at the State Capitol to tout their opposition to Governor Jerry Brown’s plans to build massive water tunnels around the bay delta. October 30th is the deadline for public comments on the controversial water tunnel plan. Opponents say 30,000 comments have been submitted against the plan. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Lawsuit Challenges Cash Bail

Civil rights lawyers are suing to end San Francisco’s cash bail policies. They say the money bail creates a two-tier justice system, where the wealthy can buy their way out of incarceration, while poor people with the same charges languish in jail. Christopher Martinez reports from San Francisco.

Irish President Commemorates Berkeley Balcony Collapse

The President of Ireland has come to Berkeley to thank first responders who helped victims of the June 16 balcony collapse. That tragedy killed six students and raised questions about construction standards in Berkeley and across California. Activists are vowing to work for stronger standards to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Christopher Martinez files this report from Berkeley.

Two of the Bay Area's Regional Government Agancies Look to Merge

Two of the Bay Area's regional governmental agencies, one that controls funds for transportation and one that helps coordinate land use and environmental impact made the first steps to merging today. Both the Metro Transit Commission and the Association of Bay Area Governments voted today to move forward with merging their planning departments and also agreed to conduct a study for completely merging the two agencies. Pacifica's Mike Kohn reports.

S.F. Supervisor Announces Hearing on Pipeline Incidents in Haight-Ashbury

San Francisco Supervisor London Breed is pledging to do all she can to uncover the facts behind six incidents which occurred in the last few months involving gas pipelines in the Haight Ashbury neighborhood. The various companies involved in the construction work accuse each other of being responsible. Gabriela Castelan reports.

Death Penalty Initiatives Could Compete on 2016 Ballot

Voters in next year’s November election could see dueling ballot measures on the death penalty. Opponents of capital punishment are backing a proposed initiative that would replace the death penalty with the sentence of life without parole, while death penalty supporters have a measure that would streamline the death penalty process and could end California’s nine-year de facto moratorium on executions. Christopher Martinez reports.

New Study Shows Market Rate Housing Displaces Latinos and Families in the Mission

A new study shows that more people are being pushed out of San Francisco's Mission District then are moving in. The study released today was conducted by the city of San Francisco on behalf of supervisor David Campos. It shows that families with children and Latino residents have been especially vulnerable to the soaring rents in the mission that are quickly pushing out middle income households. Campos announced the findings of the study from the steps of San Francisco city hall surrounded by housing activists and displaced residents of the mission district. Pacifica's Mike Kohn reports

Kaiser's Mental Health Care Workers Ready To Go On Strike

Kaiser's employees accused the Health Maintenance Organization of not hiring enough mental health workers . They've authorized their leaders to call a strike.

Kaiser says the National Union of Healthcare Workers represents only a minority of workers and said it provides the best health care in the nation.

Tenants' Associations Accuse Julie Christensen of Inappropriate Campaign Funds

San Francisco tenants and advocates for affordable housing joined SEIU Local 2 in a demonstration in front of the former offices of anti rent control property owner Thomas Coates. They were protesting the $125,000 he has given to supporters of Julie Christensen who is campaigning to hold on to her Board of Supervisors seat against challenger Aaron Peskin. KPFA reports:

Climate Change Adaptation Plan Open for Comment

California’s Natural Resources Agency is updating its plan on adapting to the impacts of climate change. The agency held a workshop in Sacramento on its latest draft plan, called “Safeguarding California,” a plan for how to adapt to things like increasing floods, droughts, heat waves and sea level rise. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

World Health Organization Classify Processed Meat as Carcinogenic

Eating bacon, sausage, and other processed meats may increase the chance of contracting colon cancer, this according to a new report out of the world health organization. Scott Baba reports.

Candidates for San Francisaco Sheriff Jockey for Position

Incumbent Sherriff Ross Mirkirimi changed his stance of whether or not to accept the funds his office applied for at the beginning of his term, but he does hold his ground regarding Sherriff's department's cooperation with ICE and the Juan Lopez-Sanchez case. Vicki Hennessey, a likely candidate, and third runner John Robinson both say they would have handled the case differently. Pacifica's Claire Stremple has the story.

State Water Officials Roll Out Groundwater Law

In 2014 California enacted a package of bills aimed at regulating the state’s groundwater resources, many of which are in a chronic state of overdraft. The law provides local agencies with a framework for managing the state’s 515 groundwater basins. The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act requires formation of local groundwater sustainability agencies to come up with plans to measure and manage their resources. State water agency officials are currently holding a series of meetings to explain the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and gather input from local officials and water users. Pacifica’s Vic Bedoian attended the meeting in Visalia this week and files this report.

Rooftop Solar Activists Blast Utility Proposals

Some farmers, businesses, and city officials are pushing back against utility industry proposals the advocates say could double or triple the cost of new solar power installation. They say the state’s major investor-owned utilities are proposing new rules that would gut a state program that lets consumers sell back unused solar power they generate, with new fees that would boost utility monopolies’ profits at the expense of consumers and the environment. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Oakland Superheroes Mural Unveiled in Homage to Antonio Ramos

About two hundred people attended the unveiling of the Oakland Superheroes Mural. Speakers paid tribute to Antonio Ramos who was killed while he was working on the mural three weeks ago. Cameron Jones has more.

Law Enforcement Leaders Call for Reducing Incarceration

Some of the nation’s top law enforcement officials are joining in a call to end mass incarceration and reform out-dated and draconian criminal sentencing laws. They’re advocating more alternatives to arrest and prosecution, reclassifying some felonies to misdemeanors, and reducing or ending harsh mandatory minimum sentencing laws. They call their new organization “a surprising new voice calling for the end to unnecessary incarceration in the US, while maintaining public safety.” Christopher Martinez reports.

Oakland City Council Renews Commitment to Fight Sex Trafficking

After the FBI declared Oakland a hub city for child sex trafficking, the city and county of Alameda have joined the CEASE, or Cities Empowered Against Sexual Exploitation, with the goal of reducing sex trafficking by 20% in the next 2 years. Oakland City Council President Lynette McElheney introduced a resolution endorsing efforts to fight rampant sex trafficking in partnership with law enforcement and municipalities. Claire Stremple reports.

Medical Marijuana Wins Major Victory in Court

A federal judge has ruled that one of the oldest medical marijuana shops in California may reopen its doors earlier this week. Lynette Shaw operated a lawful dispensary from 1998 until a few years ago when the justice department received an injunction to stop her from operating. Now US district Judge Charles Breyer has ruled that injunction is in violation of federal law. Pacifica's Mike Kohn reports

Study Demonstrates Racial and Sex Discrimination in Restaurant Industry

Restaurant workers are stuck in seven of the ten lowest paid positions in the country. Restaurant workers of color experience poverty at nearly twice the rate of whites in the industry. Women of color are the most discriminated against. ROC United and the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights are launching a project in Oakland to face this issue. Mark Mericle has more.

Lawmakers Examine Human Trafficking Issues and Solutions

State lawmakers are taking a new look at the problem of human trafficking. It’s a complex issue that includes sex trafficking, labor exploitation, and the criminalization of sex workers like prostitutes and erotic dancers. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

SF Reafirms Sanctuary City Status

Immigrant communities gathered on the steps of city hall today to demand the San Francisco Board of Supervisors vote in favor of a resolution to reject city cooperation with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement's newly named Priority Engagement Program. After Rallying outside they crowded into a packed chambers to hear the board debate the resolution.
Pacifica's Mike Kohn files this report

CSU Faculty Voting on Strike Authorization

Faculty members at California State University campuses are beginning a strike authorization vote across the state. They’re asking for a 5% hike in wages. They say faculty wages have been stagnant for years, while management salaries have skyrocketed, student enrollment has increased, and the number of full-time tenure-track faculty has plummeted. Christopher Martinez reports from San Francisco.

Community Divided Over SoMa Development Project

In San Francisco, a dozen community leaders and residents of the SoMa neighborhood filed an appeal for the proposed 5M project, located on Mission and Fifth street. Led by the SoMa Action Committee and the South of Market Community Action Network, these organizers want to temporarily halt construction of a 470 foot luxury condominium tower, as well as two office buildings. While these residents have legitimate concerns surrounding the effects of gentrification in their neighborhood, supporters of the project say the developers have spent seven years in meetings with the community, and also promise 33% affordable housing.

Wind and Wave Energy Proposed for Morro Bay

Governor Jerry Brown last week signed into law legislation aimed at expanding renewable energy production, mandating that the state cut in half its use of fossil fuels to produce electricity by the year 2030. Energy companies are looking to achieve that goal using solar, wind and other innovative technologies. Two such projects are now being explored in the Central Coast city of Morro Bay, one using Pacifica Ocean waves and the other employing offshore winds. Pacifica’s Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.

Demonstrators, Artists Descend on Oakland Detention Center

A group of demonstrators took to the streets of Downtown Oakland to bring attention to the rights of undocumented immigrants, calling for an end to detention and deportations. More than 100 activists and artists from around the state participated. They ended the march in front of the Glen E. Dyer Detention facility in Oakland. Pacifica's Saadia Malik reports:


(Photo by Jesus Iñiguez/CultureStrike)

Teachers Rally At Cal Poly Pomona Ahead Of Strike Vote

Ahead of an imminent state-wide strike authorization vote for California State University faculty, teachers and their supporters at Cal Poly Pomona held a demonstration for their cause this morning. KPFK's Dan Fritz files this report with Monica Lopez.

Environmental Advocates Warn Of Threats To Solar Expansion

While solar projects continue to grow in Los Angeles as part of Mayor Garcetti's Sustainability plan, clean energy advocates warn of increasing push-back by anti-solar interests across California. KPFK's Rita Eid reports from Los Angeles.

Fired SoCal Nurse Takes Her Story to Washington

A registered nurse in Pasadena who lost her job at after taking a leadership role in a union drive at her hospital was invited by President Obama to participate in last week's White House Summit on Worker Voice. Allysha Almada's co-workers and union allies are demanding that she get her job back. A disputed union election was held in April and is pending review by the National Labor Relations Board. KPFK's Rita Eid reports from Los Angeles.

Newsom Unveils Gun Violence Initiative

Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom is sponsoring a gun control initiative for the 2016 ballot. His measure would ban large-capacity ammunition magazines, require background checks for ammunition purchases, and require that gun owners report stolen or lost weapons. Christopher Martinez reports from San Francisco.

China Town Organizations Say Yes to Affordable housing measures I, F, and A

San Francisco China Town organizations came together today to urge voters to support propositions F, I, and A to address the cities affordability crisis. They say they are combating the public perception created by political adds from major corporations and developers in what is gearing up to be the most expensive election San Francisco has ever seen. From San Francisco's China Town Pacifica's Mike Kohn files this report.

Palestinian Dissatisfaction, Despair Driving Jerusalem Attacks

Israel set up roadblocks in Palestinian neighborhoods in East Jerusalem and deployed soldiers across the country in an effort to stop a wave of Palestinian knife attacks. In the latest incident, a Palestinian stabbed and wounded a 70-year-old woman outside Jerusalem's central bus station, at the entrance to the city, before an officer shot him dead. Two hours earlier, another Palestinian was also shot dead after he had attempted to stab paramilitary police at an entrance to Jerusalem's walled Old City.
George Bisharat is an emeritus professor of law at UC Hastings College of the Law. KPFA's Aileen Alfandary asked him what's driving these apparently individual and unorganized attacks by Palestinians:

Two major SF Hotels resist workers demands

Two upscale San Francisco hotels were the scenes of all-day protests September 28 after hotel owners rejected workers call for a fair process to decide on unionization. The Hyatt Fisherman’s Wharf and Le Méridien hotels are the only major non-union hotels in the city according to UNITE HERE Local 2 which is helping the workers to organize. The two hotels are owned by Chesapeake Lodging Trust which owns 22 hotels with almost 7,000 rooms across the country.

Approximately two dozen demonstrators engaged in non-violent civil disobedience at the protests blocking guests from entering the Le Méridien. Workers are calling for a consumer boycott to persuade the corporate owners to deal fairly with their employees. Tom Herriman has more:
(Photo: Ana Flores, right and her daughter Suzanna),

Contra Costa Nurses Strike for Better Patient Care

Nearly 1,000 nurses REPRESENTED BY THE CALIFORNIA NURSES ASSOCIATION - NATIONAL NURSES UNITED at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and other county clinics began a two-day strike Oct. 6 after what nurses say is the County’s failure to address serious patient care concerns they have been bringing to the County’s attention for over a year. PACIFICA'S Tom Herriman reports from the picket line in Martinez:

Luxury Development Moratorium on SF Ballot

Affordable housing and tenants rights advocates are pushing for a temporary ban on big development in San Francisco’s Mission neighborhood. They gathered on the steps of City Hall to build support for their “Measure I” on the city’s November ballot. Christopher Martinez reports from San Francisco.

Utilities Commission Reform Bills Meet Governor's Vetoes

Governor Jerry Brown has vetoed a package of legislation aimed at reforming California’s beleaguered Public Utilities Commission. The six bills would have tightened public meeting laws and oversight of a commission that has been accused of having cozy relationships with the utilities it regulates. Christopher Martinez reports.

Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence Demonstrate Against Controversial PEP Program

Immigrant survivors of domestic violence and community supporters gathered on the steps of San Francisco City Hall in commemoration of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. They also are calling for a clean separation between local law enforcement and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE. Pacifica's Claire Stremple reports from San Francisco.

Scientists Evaluate Landscape After Rough Fire

After two months of intense fire fighting the Rough Fire in the Kings Canyon watershed is 95 percent contained. It was one of the state’s largest, consuming over 15,000 acres in national park and forest land. Some 3800 firefighters fought the blaze in the steep and rugged terrain. As the remaining fire crews extinguish hot spots and mop up, attention is now turning to post fire situation. This week the forest service released a soil burn severity map to identify areas of concern for increased water runoff and soil erosion. That map will help park officials take actions to mitigate potential problems. Pacifica reporter Vic Bedoian joined forest service scientists as they surveyed the site of the fire and files this report.

Presidential Candidates Speak at No Label's Problem Solvers Convention

While the partisan divide appears to grow sharper with every debate, several prominent candidates from both sides of the aisle spoke in New Hampshire today about the importance of compromise in politics. Scott Baba reports.

Puff, Puff, Pass the Medical Marijuana Legislation

In Sacramento, Governor Jerry Brown passed a historic trio of bills last Friday, regarding the use of medical marijuana. 19 years ago California led the nation in legalizing medical marijuana, but since then the state has left the industry largely unregulated and in legal limbo. The three bills, known as the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act, hope to legitimize the medical marijuana industry, making it more secure for both patients and the public.

Activists Oppose Jail Mental Health Spending Plan

Human rights activists in Alameda County are fighting a plan to build a $54 million mental health facility at the county’s Santa Rita Jail. Supporters of the plan say it would improve mental health services for jail prisoners, but opponents say the money would be better spent on community mental health services instead of criminalizing mental illness.
Christopher Martinez reports from Oakland.

Supreme Court Case Threatens Public Sector Unions

The US Supreme Court will soon be considering a case that could weaken the power of public sector unions. The lawsuit, called “Friedrichs vs. California Teachers Association,” would make public sector union dues optional. Supporters of the lawsuit say it would help dissident teachers working for school reform. Unions see the lawsuit as part of a continuing series of attacks on organized labor. Christopher Martinez reports.

CA Supreme Court Hears Prop 49 Case

California voters could get a chance to ask Congress to overturn the Citizens United case which has led to virtually unlimited spending on political campaigns. The California Supreme Court considered whether to allow the California legislature to put the advisory measure on the ballot. Mark Mericle has more.

Women's Wage Equality Bill Signed into Law

Governor Jerry Brown has signed a toughest-in-the-nation law aimed at closing the wage gap between women and men. The “California Fair Pay Act” shifts the burden to employers to justify pay differences between women and men. Supporters say ending the gender wage gap could cut the poverty rate for women by half. Christopher Martinez files this report from Richmond.

Brown Signs Aid in Dying Bill

Governor Jerry Brown has signed a controversial aid-in-dying bill that will let some adults with terminal illness get prescription drugs to end life. The law is modeled after Oregon’s 17-year-old “Death with Dignity Act.” Similar measures in California have failed repeatedly in the legislature and at the ballot box, but the latest version of the bill won approval on the last day of the legislative session. Christopher Martinez reports.

Earthjustice Files Lawsuit Requiring Environmental Review of Coal Transport in Oakland

In San Francisco, legal group Earthjustice has filed a lawsuit against the city of Oakland, calling for an environmental review to analyze the effects of shipping coal through west Oakland. Earthjustice has cited environmental concerns for Oakland's water and air quality, the safety of workers, as well as health risks for Oakland residents. Opponents claim great economic benefits will be brought to Oakland, and any delays to the project may result in a loss of investors.

Delta Advocates Slam Tunnels Project as Approval Nears

Critics of Governor Jerry Brown’s Delta Tunnels project this week assailed the plan as a water grab that will be environmentally destructive to the Delta, and a waste of public funds. They’re making a final push to state their opposition as the deadline approaches for public comment on the final environmental review of the controversial Bay Delta Conservation Plan. Twin Pacifica’s Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.

Laughing While Black Lawsuit Seeks $11 Million in Damages

A group of mostly African American book club members kicked off a Napa valley wine train in August is filing suit for $11 million in damages. The plaintiffs say they were victims of racial discrimination, in effect, kicked off the train for “laughing while black.” They want the company to conduct sensitivity and diversity training to prevent similar incidents in the future. Christopher Martinez reports from San Francisco.

SF County Jail Launches Aquaponics Program for Inmates

With prison realignment well underway in California, releasing thousands of inmates from state prisons or moving them to county jails, many local detention facilities are ramping up rehabilitation programs for their inmates to ease their transition back into society. Many such initiatives have begun at the San Francisco County jail. They include a new aquaponics class in growing vegetables and fish, aimed at providing participants with a potential career path. Lucy Kang visited the jail's program and filed this report.